[Yethal]

So for the best results I gonna need 4 x SS3602 which will cost about 300usd, am I right?

Isn't it more effective to use X7 as a DAC and use external amp something like Lake People G-109 ?

2x SS3601 and 2x SS3602. And no it isn't because the opamps are also responsible for the analog output on the back so not only is the upgrade not lost after adding an amp, the amp itself will sound better due to better analog output stage of the x7

 

[escknx]

Thanks
Maybe dumb question, but which part of X7 is responsible for its EQ? Is it amp or dac? I found its EQ to be much more efficient than foobar2000 EQ. Foobar EQ adds some destortion anyways, while x7 EQ is perfectly clear,

 

[Yethal]

Thanks
Maybe dumb question, but which part of X7 is responsible for its EQ? Is it amp or dac? I found its EQ to be much more efficient than foobar2000 EQ. Foobar EQ adds some destortion anyways, while x7 EQ is perfectly clear,

Dac. All of X7 processing is digital

 

[escknx]

Thanks.

So changing amp ops make no sense if using X7 as DAC only w optical out to another DAC, like ES9018K2M or
OPs affect only analog outs, right?

If you know, how this X7's Burr-Brown PCM1794 compared to Cirrus Logic CS4398 / Cirrus Logic CS436 that are used in Asus Xonar U7 MKII?

And will you recommend Supreme Sound V5i vs Sparkos Labs SS3601/02, or they pretty similar?

 

[Yethal]

Thanks.

So changing amp ops make no sense if using X7 as DAC only w optical out to another DAC, like ES9018K2M or
OPs affect only analog outs, right?

If you know, how this X7's Burr-Brown PCM1794 compared to Cirrus Logic CS4398 / Cirrus Logic CS436 that are used in Asus Xonar U7 MKII?

And will you recommend Supreme Sound V5i vs Sparkos Labs SS3601/02, or they pretty similar?

In this case you'd be using the x7 as a dsp not a dac. Yes, no point in changing opamps if using x7 this way
I own both v5i and the Sparkos and I would choose Sparkos over v5i any day.

 

[raband]

I own both v5i and the Sparkos and I would choose Sparkos over v5i any day.

But would also choose the v5i's over stock?

 

[Yethal]

But would also choose the v5i's over stock?

I would. They are a strong improvement, it's just that Sparkos are even better.

 

[raband]

Cheers

 

[escknx]

In this case you'd be using the x7 as a dsp not a dac. Yes, no point in changing opamps if using x7 this way
I own both v5i and the Sparkos and I would choose Sparkos over v5i any day.

Alright, as above mentioned DAC is responsible for EQ there. I wont be able to use creative EQ if using just optical out? Or by digital processing you meant dsp?
Thanks.

 

[Yethal]

Alright, as above mentioned DAC is responsible for EQ there. I wont be able to use creative EQ if using just optical out? Or by digital processing you meant dsp?
Thanks.

DAC is not responsible for the EQ or any other software effects, DSP is and that's the only part of the X7 you'd be using if outputting via optical to another dac.

 

[escknx]

DAC is not responsible for the EQ or any other software effects, DSP is and that's the only part of the X7 you'd be using if outputting via optical to another dac.

Well that means using G5 w optical out = X7 w optical since they both use same DSP.
Even SB Omni or Z should do almosy the same, since theirs DSP' aren't much different.

 

[Yethal]

Well that means using G5 w optical out = X7 w optical since they both use same DSP.
Even SB Omni or Z should do almosy the same, since theirs DSP' aren't much different.

That's what we all thought before the G5 came out. And then we found out that the DSP on the G5 is significantly worse than X7.

 

[escknx]

Well they claim SB-Axx1 Audio Processor for both. Still not clear what's wrong there since on paper its the same?

 

[Yethal]

It supposedly is but several different people over on the G5 thread reported it sounding very different from the X7

 

[illram]

I'm not sure why but the G5 uses SoundBlaster X, which I have tried and which sort of sucks, vs. the X7 and E5 which use SBX Pro Studio, which sounds great. If all you want is the DSP with its EQ and VSS, and you don't need Dolby Digital Decoding, I'd try the E5 maybe?